The document discusses various learning theories that the author believes are relevant to their teaching philosophy. The author believes in creating a student-centered, hands-on learning environment where students feel safe and supported. The author thinks that behaviorism and sensory theories align best with this philosophy. Specifically, the author believes sensory theory, which involves stimulating learning through the senses, will be most applicable in their classroom since it promotes active, visual learning. While acknowledging other theories have value, the author is less inclined towards pedagogy theory since it does not account for individual learners as well. Overall, the author intends to incorporate aspects of behaviorism, like rewards, and sensory theory, through engaging activities, into their future elementary classroom instruction.

1. LEARNING
THEORIES
CANDACE WEST
ETEC 424

2. MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
• A student centered learning environment bridged by great
relationships.
I believe that it is very important that the students feel welcomed and safe when
they are in the classroom. I want it to be a fun, hands on learning environment. It is
very important for me that I build great relationships with my students. I want them
to know that they are able to come to me for anything. I believe that both the
behaviorism and sensory theory work best with my philosophy.

3. BEHAVIORISM
THEORY
Behaviorism is a learning theory that only focuses on objectively observable
behaviors and discounts and independent activities of the mind(Behaviorism). I
truly believe in the behaviorism theory. Most students respond highly with
positive and negative reinforcements.

4. SENSORY
THEORY
During sensory theory the senses are getting stimulated while promoting your
learning experience. I completely agree with this. If you are working and
learning hands on I believe that you are more likely to retain that information.
Also especially with little ones they love to be active and engage in hands on
activities.

5. SENSORY THEORY
The theory that I believe I will use most in my
classroom is the Sensory Theory. I am all about
hands on learning. I know for myself that if I am
involved in a project that I can visually see and
touch I will be successful with that project. There
are many good theories but this theory I would
definitely implement in my classroom.

6. PEDAGOGY THEORY
I can not say that there is a theory that I completely dislike. I know that at times all
of the theories can come into play. The Pedagogy theory may be the one that I am
less fond of. Pedagogy does not always allow for individual knowledge to be taken
into account and often focuses on teaching the same topic at the same time to all
learners (Teaching and Learning Theories.) I believe that this can be incorporated
but it is dependent on your students. If you have students on different spectrums it
will be hard to reach them all on the same level.

7. COMPARISON
Sensory Theory
The sensory theory approaches
teaching with stimulating activities.
The learning style is very hands on
and visual. Being able to use all your
senses I believe helps the students to
retain the information. Also they are
having fun but learning at the same
time.
Pedagogy Theory
The pedagogy theory can
incorporate hands on activities but it
is more focused teaching the class as
a whole. All the students will be
geared towards working on the same
instruction at the same time.

8. BEHAVIORISM THEORY
Along with the sensory theory, I also truly believe in the behaviorism
theory. I believe that using the behavioral theory as guidance it will
be most rewarding for my classroom. Students respond well to
positive and negative reinforcements. By using a reward system I will
be able to keep the students attention and stay on track with their
behaviors.

9. THEORIES
Effective
Both theories can be very useful and
positive. With the behaviorism theory,
using a reward system can keep all
students on track. Turning negative
feedback into positive can change their
attitudes and help them continue to
grow. The sensory theory I believe speaks
for its self. Students like to be involved.
Incorporating stimulating activities into
the classroom will engage the students.
Not Effective
With positive also comes negative. Not all
students respond to a reward system or
stimulating activities. Some students you
may have to continue to change up your
teaching approach to form a connection
with them. All students are different and
unique in their very own way.

10. • I want to be an elementary teacher. As a future teacher, I plan on utilizing both
theories into my classroom instruction. I would love to incorporate as many hands on
and visual activities as possible. Some examples are, writing letters or words in sand,
with paint, or with chalk. Even going outside and teaching a lesson outside I believe
would be very receptive. In my classroom I want to incorporate movement and
engaging activities. I know that with all students some may have behavioral issues.
This is when I would like to incorporate a reward system. For example, the students
can work to fill pom poms in individual cups. After getting so many they can chose
from the treasure box. Also I can incorporate a goal of some kind whether it be a
reading or math goal. After they reach their goal they can get a sticker. I know that all
students are different and what may work for one student my not work for them all. I
believe in finding a happy medium.
Incorporating Theories

11. REFERENCES
• Behaviorism. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.funderstanding.com/theory/behaviorism/
• Teaching and Learning Theories. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://tomprof.stanford.edu/posting/1505
• Duffy, T. M. (2013). Constructivism and the Technology of Instruction.
doi:10.4324/9780203461976
• Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T. J. (2008). Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism:
Comparing Critical Features from an Instructional Design Perspective. Performance
Improvement Quarterly, 6(4), 50-72. doi:10.1111/j.1937-8327.1993.tb00605.x